Store-service apparatus.



C. J. MILLERL STORE SERVICE APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED -ov.21. 1910. RENEWED MAY 12, 1913.

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C. J. MILLER. STORE SERVICE APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED NOV-21,1910 RENEWED MAY 12.1913- 7 1,146,192 Patented July '13, 1915.

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A. '1 a Q CHARLES J'. MILLER, OF IVIINNEAPO LIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOB, BY MESNE ASSIGN MENTS, TO THE LAlVISON CGMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

STORE-SERVICE AIPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 13, 1915.

Application filed November 21, 1910, Serial No. 593,428. Renewed May 12, I913. Serial No. 767,190.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLEs J. IVIILLER, of Minneapolis, county of I-lennepin, State of lvlinnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Store-Service Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to store service apparatus and particularly to mechanism for driving a carrier from one station to another, the object of the invention being to simplify and improve the construction of mechanism ordinarily employed for this purpose.

One of the objects of my invention concerns the provision of improved means whereby the leverage on the propelling spring will be increased proportionately with the increase in compression of the spring.

Further the invention involves improved means for locking and releasing the carrier.

Further the invention consists in various constructions and combinations, all as hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In general, I am aware that various changesand modifications maybe made herein without departing from the spirit of my'invention and I hence desire to be limited only by the scope of said claims.

In the accompanying drawings formingpart of this specification, Figure l'is a side elevation of a store service apparatus em bodying my invention, Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the position of the parts when the carrier has been discharged from the station, Fig. 3 is a bottom View, Fig. 4% is a top view, Fig. 5 is a detail view of the carrier releasing mechanism, Fig. 6 is a detail view of the conical drum provided in connection with the propelling mechanism, Fig. 7 is a sectional view. on the line xx of Fig. 5. v p

In thedrawing, 2 represents a hanger and 3 a clamp secured to the lower end of the hanger by a set screw- 4 capable of sliding vertically on the hanger to obtain the desired elevation.

The guy wire 5 is drawn taut by means of a A yoke 8 is swiveled on the clamp 3 and a barrel 9 is pivotally supported between the ears lOof the yoke and is adapted to oscillate vertically to allow adjustment of the line wire to the desired grade. A. block 13 is arranged in one end of the. barrel and held in place by a set screw l l'and the line wire 15 passes through this block and through the end of the barrel and is additionally secured by means of a pin 16. The

forward end of the barrel 9 is provided with laterally extending lugs 17 from which arms lsprojeet. These arms are below the line wire and on each side thereof, and are parallel with one .another. mounted on one of said arms and is capable of adjustment back and forth thereon, for,

the purpose hereinafter described, a series of holes 20 being provided 1n one of the arms to receive the adjusting screws 21 on tube 23 and forms a support for the end of the spring. A yielding buffer 25 is provided in the end of the collaragainst which the carrier strikes upon entering the station, the spring beingput under compres sion by the momentum of the it carrier to check its impetus andbring it to a stop without unnecessary shock or jar. It is evident that when a spring of thiskind is put under compression to propel the carrierfrom the station, that the resistance of the spring to the compressing force will increase with the degree of compression.

An important feature of my invention is to provide means in connection with the propelling spring whereby the leverage on the spring will be increased proportionately with its compression. In carrying out this feature of my invention, I provide a rack bar 26 adapted to slide under the barrel 9 in a guide 27. A coneshaped drum 9.8 has bearings in ears.29 which depend from the barrel 9 and is provided on-its A collar 19 is, I I

shaft with a pinion 30 whieh meshes the teeth of the rack bar. A spiral groove 31 is formed in the surface of the coneshaped drum 28 to receive the propelling cord 32, one end of which is secured to said drum and the other end provided with a hand grip 33. The drum is normally revolved to wind up the propelling cord thereon by means of a coiled spring 36 which is inclosed within the drum. The forward end of the rack bar 26 is provided with a fork 34 pivoted between the arms of a latch frame 35 which is pivoted on and encircled by, a rectangular frame 87 having lugs 37, that are adapted to slide in guide ways 38 provided in the arms 18. The frame 35 has a locking latch at its forward end normally held in the path of the approaching carrier by a spring 40 that is mounted on a pin 40 which is attached at one end to the latch 89 and is slidable at its other end in a bracket 40 on the latch frame. The carrier 4-1 has a lug 4.2 in position to engage the forward end of the latch 39 as the carrier approaches the station and tilt the said latch downwardly against the tension of the spring 40. The lug 42 passes over the inclined end of the latch and about that time the end of the carrier engages the bufier 25 and the spring 22 is compressed sufliciently to check the momentum of the carrier. Rebound of the carrier is prevented bv the engagement of the lug 42 with the locking latch. The latch is provided with a notched rear end 43 that is adapted to contact with a pin 44 projecting laterally from a lever that is pivoted on the collar 19. This lever is adapted to swing in a vertical plane, its stroke being regulated by the set screws 426. (See Fig. 5.) The engagement of the locking latch with the trip lever will cause the latch to be tilted and will release the lug 42 therefrom. The period of this tripping operation is regulated by the adiustment of the coilar 19, the position of which, on its supporting arm, regulating the degree of tension of the propelling spring when the carrier is projected from the station. For instance, if the distance to the other station is considerable, or the grade heavv, then the collar will be adjusted. so that the spring will be put under a greater degree of compression before the carriage is released and on the other hand, if the carrier is only to travel a short dis tance. then the collar may be adiusted so that the latch will be actuated when the spring is under only a. slight de ree of compression.

To operate the device. the clerk will grasp the handle 33 and pulling thereon, will unwind the cord frcm the conical drum, move the rack bar backward and pull the latch frame and carrier temporarilv locked thereto. inwardlv against the tension of the propelling spring. At a predetermined point in the inward movement of the latch frame, the latch will be tilted and the carrier re leased and proiected from the station. The operator will then release the handle 33, the drum spring will return it and the rack bar to their normal position where the forward end of the latch frame will be in the path of the incoming carrier to engage and lock. it when its momentum has been checked. The arrangement of the cord on the tapered or cone-shaped drum allows me to increase the leverage thereof proportionately with the increase in the resistance of the propel ling spring when it is compressed. The flange 41 is mounted on the bracket 4-0 to contact with the latch and limit its downward movement against the tension of the spring 40.

I claim as my invention 1. A store service apparatus comprising a hanger. a hub mounted on the lower end of said hanger and capable of rotary adjustment thereon, a yoke swiveled on said hub, a barrel pivoted between the depending arms of said yoke, a. line wire attached to said barrel, the revolution of said. hub and yoke allowing said line wire to be strung in any direction from said hanger.

2. A store service apparatus comprising a line wire. a carrier, a hanger, a barrel mounted thereon, said line wire being secured to said barrel, a propelling spring, guide arms projecting from said barrel, a carriage slidable between said guide arms and having means to engage said spring, a locking latch mounted in said carriage in the path of said carrier, means for retract in said carriage and latch against the tension of said spring, and means for tripping said latch.

A store service apparatus comprising a line wire and carrier, parallel arms having slots therein, a carriage arranged between said arms and having lugs to enter said slots, a locking latch mounted in said carriage in the path of said carrier, a propelling spring put under tension by the retraction of said carriage and said carrier. means for retracting said carriage, and means for tripping said locking latch.

4-. A store service apparatus comprising a line wire, a carrier therefor, a propelling spring having a buffer or plunger to engage said carrier, a locking latch in the path of said carrier and arranged to engage and hold said carrier in contact with said butter and draw it backwardly with said buffer, a carriage whereon said locking latch is mounted, a rack bar having a pivotal connection with said carriage, means geared to said rack bar for retracting it to put said spring under tension, and means for tripping said locking latch at a predetermined point.

5. store service apparatus comprising line wire and carrier, a compression spring having a plunger to engage said carrier, a locking latch in the path of said carrier and arranged to hold said carrier in contact with said plunger and draw it backwardly therewith, a carriage therefor, parallel guide arms between which said carriage isslidable, a rack said carriage, means geared to said rack bar for retracting it and said carriage against the tension of said spring, and means for tripping said locking latch.

6. In a store service apparatus, a line wire and carrier, a propelling spring, a locking latch in the path of said carrier, a carriage for said latch, a rack bar connected with said carriage, a cone-faced drum and a propelling cord wound thereon, a pinion mounted on the shaft of said drum meshing with said rack bar, the leverage of said cord on said rack bar increasing as the cord is un wound from said drum."

7. A store service apparatus comprising a line wire, a carrier therefor, a conical drum having a rotary movement on its axis but otherwise stationary and a propelling cord wound on said drum, a propelling spring, means actuated by the revolution of said drum for putting said spring under tension to propel said carrier when released, the leverage of said propelling cord increasing with the degree of tension of said spring.

8. A store service apparatus comprising a line wire and carrier, a propelling spring, a conical drum having a revolving movement but otherwise stationary, a propelling cord spirally wound on the periphery of said drum, means geared to said drum and arranged to be retracted to put said spring under tension and drive said carrier from the station when released, said cord unwinding as the drum is revolved and its leverage increasing with the degree of tension of said spring.

9. A store service apparatus comprising a line wire and carrier, a propelling spring, a locking latch in the path of said carrier, a carriage for said latch, a revolving drum and a propelling cord wound thereon, a rack bar geared to said drum and attached to said carriage, whereby the revolution of said drum will retract said rack bar and put said spring under tension, and means for tripping said locking latch at a predetermined point.

10. A store service apparatus comprising a line wire, a carrier therefor, a hanger, a barrel pivoted on said hanger and capable of vertical oscillation, the end of said line wire being secured in said barrel, a compression spring coiled on said line wire and having a buffer at its forward end, a looking latch in the path of said carrier, a carriage wherein said latch is mounted, said carriage having a guide inelosing said line bar pivotally connected with wire and propelling spring, said barrel hav ing guides for said carriage, the guide inclosing said propelling spring holding said barrel in; line with said wire and spring, means for retracting said carriageto put said spring under tension, and means for tripping said locking latch.

"11. A store service apparatus comprising a line wire and carrier, a hanger, a barrel pivotally supported thereon and capable of vertical oscillation, said line wire being secured within said barrel, a propelling spring, guide arms projecting from said barrel, a carriage slidable between said guide arms and having a guide inclosing said line wire, a locking latch mounted in said carriage in the path of said carrier, means for retracting said carriage and latch against the tension of said spring and means for tripping said latch.

1'2. A store service apparatus including a propelling spring and -means for placing said spring under compression, said means having a revolving movement but being otherwise stationary with respect to its support, a propelling cord connected with said revolving means, the leverage of said revolving'means on said spring increasing with the increasing tension of said spring;

18. Ina store service apparatus, a line spring under tension, and means for tripping said locking latch at a predetermined point.

14. A store serviceapparatus comprising a line wire, a support therefor, a carrier.

adapted to travel on said wire, a latch mounted in the path of said carrier for looking engagement therewith, and mechanism for releasing said carrier and projecting the latter away from said latch, said mechanism including a rotatably mounted drum, the axis of which is fixed with respect to said line wire support and disposed substantially adjacent said support, a flexible propelling element normally spirally wound upon said drum and adapted to rotate the latter as said element is placed under tension and unwound therefrom, the leverage of said element upon said drum being variable substantially in accordance with the amount of said element which has been unwound from said drum, and means for rewinding said element spirally on said drum when the tension in said element is released.

15. A store service apparatus comprising a line wire, a support therefor, a carrier adapted to travel on said wire, a latch mounted in the path of said carrier for lockingengagement therewith, and mechanism for releasing said carrier and project ing the latter away from said latch, said mechanism including a rotatably mounted drum, the axis of which is fixed with respect to said line wire support, a flexible propelling element normally spirally wound upon said drum and adapted to rotate the latter as said element is placed under tension and unwound therefrom, the leverage of said element upon said drum being variable substantially in accordance with the amount of said element which has been unwound from said drum, and means for rewinding said element spirally on said drum when the tension in said element is released.

16. A store service apparatus including a carrier propelling spring, and means for placing said spring under compression, said means having a revolving movement but being otherwise stationary with respect to its support.

17. The combination With a track and a hanger provided with means for supporting said track therefrom, of a carrier, means, including a pushing member, for projecting said carrier over said track and for automatically returning said member substan tially to the position from which it is displaced when said projecting means is actuated, said means further comprising a spring actuated drum disposed near and substantially directly sustained by the hanger and a flexible element attached to said drum and normally in part at least Wound thereon, a carrier propelling effort upon said flexible element normally placing the portion of said hanger adjacent the drum under tension.

18. The combination with a track, and a hanger therefor, of a carrier, means, including a. pushing member, for projecting said carrier over said track and for automatically returning said member substantially to the position from which it is displaced when said projecting means is actuated, said means further comprising a spring actuated drum and a flexible element attached to said drum and normally in part at least wound thereon, the turns of said flexible element upon said drum varying in diameter. those of lesser diameter being first unwound when the carrier is being projected.

19. The combination with a track, and a hanger therefor, of a carrier, means, including a pushing member, for projecting said carrier over said track and for automatically returning said member substantially to the position from which it is displaced when said projecting means is actuated, said means further comprising a spring actuated drum and a flexible element attached to said drum and normally in part at least wound thereon, the turns of said flexible element upon said drum varying in diameter.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 21st day of October 1910,

CHARLES J. MILLER.

Witnesses:

G. E. SORENSEN, E. A. PAUL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, I). G. 

